Ray Arthur Fischer joined his beloved Janell in heaven on May 28, 2023 just before supper time. Grandpa and Great Grandpa to many, Dad to 4 - Tracy, Jaclyn, Matthew and Micheal - Brother to Jane (Dell).
Ray grew up the son of a Lutheran Minister in North Dakota. Following his time in the Army during Vietnam, he became a propane installer across Idaho, Nevada and California. Ray met Janell at Lake Tahoe and proposed 6 weeks later. They were married in the Chapel of The Bells in 1971.
After living for a time in Idaho and a hand-built home in Tahoe with his wife and 4 small children, Ray bought a home on 10 acres in Stagecoach and moved his family out - sight unseen. It might have taken his wife some time to get over the shock of managing a prairie full of tumbleweeds and a house full of kids in the middle of nowhere, but they did it.
His knowledge of engine design and mechanics meant frequent troubleshooting calls from his kids and grandkids - and he always had an answer. He leaves his lifelong teachings of patience, humor, kindness, and hard work with his family and friends.
Ray was a lover of John Denver, heartfelt TV shows, camping, traveling, and getting work done. The ‘69 Winnebago, where the family lived on their travels and where Ray and ‘Nell camped in their retirement, is still an ongoing project. We’ll catch up over coffee on the porch soon.